Latest news with #adolescents
Medscape
4 hours ago
- Health
- Medscape
Can Digital Therapy Improve Mental Health Among Teens?
TOPLINE: In a randomised trial of adolescents with mental health issues, the use of a 6-week online emotion-regulation therapy was found to be feasible and acceptable. Compared with an active control therapy, this online therapy significantly alleviated symptoms of anxiety, depression, and maladaptive coping. METHODOLOGY: This single-blind randomised clinical trial conducted between 2022 and 2023 in Swedish primary care included 30 adolescents aged 12-17 years (93% girls) with mental health problems and their parents. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 6 weeks of either therapist-guided primary care online emotion-regulation treatment (POET; n = 15) or supportive treatment (n = 15) as an active control. Primary outcomes included feasibility and acceptability; secondary outcomes included symptom severity and improvement (measured using the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity Scale [CGI-S] and CGI-Improvement Scale), symptoms of anxiety and depression (measured using the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale [RCADS-47]), global functioning (measured using the Children's Global Assessment Scale [CGAS]), and emotion regulation (measured using the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire [CERQ]). Outcomes were self-reported online or obtained via telephonic interviews immediately after treatment and at a 3-month follow-up. TAKEAWAY: The study had a consent rate of 81%, with 93% of participants completed at least one assessment immediately after treatment and 87% completed 3-month follow-up assessments. Treatment satisfaction was high among both adolescents (mean Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 [CSQ-8] score: POET, 20.6; supportive treatment, 22.8) and parents (mean CSQ-8 score: POET, 24.8; supportive treatment, 23.1). When comparing before and immediately after treatment, the POET group showed significant reductions in symptom severity (CGI-S: effect size, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.73-1.86), symptoms of anxiety and depression (RCADS-47: Cohen d, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.37-1.84), and maladaptive cognitive coping (CERQ: Cohen d, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.52-1.70), as well as improvement in global functioning (CGAS: Cohen d, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.66-1.85). The control group showed no significant differences. When comparing before treatment and at 3 months post-treatment, the POET group maintained reductions in symptom severity (CGI-S: effect size, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.76-1.88), symptoms of anxiety and depression (RCADS-47: Cohen d, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.51-2.08), and maladaptive cognitive coping (CERQ: Cohen d, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.22-1.40), as well as improvement in global functioning (CGAS: Cohen d, 1.54; 95% CI, 0.95-2.14). The control group showed no significant differences. IN PRACTICE: "Given that adolescents represent a large patient group with limited access to psychological treatment, these findings suggest that POET is a promising treatment in primary care, with the potential for broad outreach and improved accessibility for adolescents with mental health problems," the authors wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Katja Sjöblom, MSc, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. It was published online on June 11 in JAMA Network Open. LIMITATIONS: A small sample size and lack of stratification in the randomisation procedure prevented the between-group analysis of effectiveness. Most participants were self-referred, potentially introducing selection bias. The active control study design limited clinical interpretation compared with a control group using treatment as usual or gold standard treatment. DISCLOSURES: This study was supported by grants from the Kavli Trust, Region Stockholm, and the Swedish Research Council. Several authors reported receiving grants, royalties, and personal fees from various academic, governmental, and private sources, and one author reported holding shares in companies outside the submitted work. Details are provided in the original article. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Medscape
17 hours ago
- Health
- Medscape
Injectable HIV Prevention Drug Gets FDA Nod
Individuals at risk for sexually acquired HIV have a new injectable option for preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) approval of lenacapavir, according to a press release from manufacturer, Gilead. Lenacapavir, marketed as Yeztugo, is the first twice-yearly injectable to be indicated for PrEP for adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kg (approximately 77 lb). Lenacapavir is administered via an injection into the subcutaneous layer of fat in the abdomen. The resulting 'drug depot' may feel like a bump or nodule but resolves or shrinks before the next injection, according to the company. The approval was based on data from a pair of studies, PURPOSE 1 and PURPOSE 2. In the PURPOSE 1 study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, lenacapavir was 100% effective in preventing HIV infection compared to background HIV incidence in cisgender women and significantly more effective than daily oral combination therapy of emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Truvada). Notably, the study included pregnant women and adolescents, and the drug was generally well tolerated. In the PURPOSE 2 study, also published in NEJM, lenacapavir was similarly effective for HIV infection prevention in a population of cisgender men and gender-diverse persons, with only two infections in the more than 2000 individuals randomized to lenacapavir. Overall, the injection was well tolerated but is contraindicated for individuals who test positive for HIV; a negative test is required before each injection, according to the company. The specifics of cost and insurance coverage for lenacapavir remain to be seen, but Gilead's Advancing Access medication assistance program will provide the drug at no cost to eligible patients, according to the press release. Lenacapavir was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the FDA in October 2024 and was approved under the FDA's Priority Review process. Gilead has submitted a marketing authorization application with the European Medicines Agency and filed for regulatory approval in multiple countries worldwide including Australia, Brazil, Canada, and South Africa. The PURPOSE 1 and 2 studies were funded by Gilead.
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Parents need greater support to guide safe online behaviour for children, report says
Parents need greater support to guide safe online behaviour as digital technologies reshape childhood, a report has concluded. The Economic and Social Research Institute (Esri) research, commissioned by BlockW, highlights the complexities and risks associated with children's digital technology use. Advertisement It found that school-aged children and adolescents are spending more time online than ever before. An international literature review, conducted by the Esri's Behavioural Research Unit, explores the impact of digital technology on children's wellbeing, the challenges faced by parents, and potential public health interventions. The review reveals that while digital technologies offer numerous benefits, such as access to information, educational tools, and social connection, they also pose risks to the wellbeing of children and adolescents. The researchers have called for the need for effective policies to protect children online, guided by a thorough understanding of when and how digital technologies cause harm. Advertisement The report found that digital technologies can offer benefits for children, including opportunities for social connection, learning, creativity, exploration, seeking support, and play. However, some types of social media and gaming can harm wellbeing. These effects are shaped by socioeconomic factors, the child's gender, developmental stage, and cultural and social context. Parents are often considered the first, last, and strongest line of defence for their children's online safety, the report stated. Advertisement Yet, they face digital risks themselves, including device overuse. The report said that effective parenting strategies involve active mediation, setting clear rules and boundaries, and modelling appropriate behaviour. Over-reliance on technical controls can be counterproductive and harm the parent-child relationship, it added. Ensuring children's online safety requires coordinated efforts from parents, schools, digital technology companies, and governments. Advertisement Policymakers could consider regulations for robust age verification and standardised content reporting mechanisms to better protect children from harmful digital environments and promote safer online spaces. Dr Celine Fox, lead author on the report, said: 'Our review suggests there is an urgent need for better research to more accurately measure the impact of digital technologies on children's wellbeing and what can be done to mitigate the risks. 'Digital technologies evolve rapidly, so the true extent of the challenges faced by parents and children in the digital era is likely not yet fully understood.' Ireland Children as young as eight exposed to 'disturbing... Read More Professor Joyce O'Connor, chairwoman and co-founder of BlockW, said: 'As digital technologies reshape childhood, parents need greater support to guide safe online behaviour. Advertisement 'Online safety needs to be a shared responsibility across families, schools, platforms, and policymakers and not a burden parents carry alone. 'This study is a vital first step – further research is essential to inform and develop how best to reach parents with effective, evidence-informed solutions.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The New ‘My Pet Peeve' Trend on TikTok Gives a Revealing Glimpse Into What's Bothering Teens
Teens aren't exactly known for being forthcoming about their thoughts, but a new TikTok trend might be changing that. Adolescents are sharing a glimpse into what's been on their mind lately with the new 'my pet peeve' trend — and concerned parents should pay attention. The trend started when an audio of a previous Natalie Portman interview went viral. In the sound, Portman says, 'My pet peeve is people saying, 'I know exactly how you feel.' Nobody knows exactly how you feel.' More from SheKnows Science Says You May Be Undermining Your Teen's Development - But Summer Is a Perfect Chance To Fix That From there, people write text over the top to showcase what their biggest pet peeves are and how others don't quite understand them. This trend can be silly, like one person writing, 'My pet peeve is people saying 'I like ranch!' because NOBODY likes ranch as much as I do!' over a video of them dipping everything in ranch dressing. But it can also be more serious. Some young adults are getting deep as they share their pet peeves and contradict what people have said to them throughout their teen years. Like one user who said, 'You were 12 not annoying. You were 13 not stupid. You were 14 not cringey. You were 15 not mean. You were 16 not a sl*t. You were 17 not unloveable. You were 18 not lost. You were 19 not worthless. You were 20 not ugly. You were 21 not useless.' Another person posted the trending sound with the caption: 'How it feels talking to someone about depression when they have only been sad about a boy.' Feeling misunderstood is all part of growing up, but sometimes, teens have a point. Being undervalued, dismissed, or written off is incredibly hard, and I love how teens are taking back the narrative and emphasizing that their feelings are real and valid. Whether your teens are going through struggles with their mental health, bullies, or another issue, parents can be there for them by providing a caring, non-judgmental space. 'Teens, developmentally speaking, have a high need for independence and a lack of judgment, especially from their parents,' clinical psychologist Hannah Yang, Psy.D., CEO and founder of Balanced Awakening, previously told SheKnows. Dr. Yang explained that teens need to figure things out for themselves and be allowed to make their own mistakes: 'That's a framework to keep in mind when thinking about how to support your teen and what you might say.' When they are going through something, Dr. Yang suggested saying something like, 'What do you need from me right now?' and 'Would you like my help/thoughts/support right now?' She continued, 'Asking questions like this is a way to let the teen know that you are there for them, but in a way that gives the power and autonomy to the teen to decide what and if they need their parents' help.' The 'my pet peeve' trend is a good segue into seeing what is bothering your teens right now and allowing you to really lean in and listen to them. (It's also a good reminder to not just tell your teen you know exactly how they feel!)Best of SheKnows Tween & Teen Slang 2025: A Definitive Guide to 'What the Hellyante' Your Kid Is Saying Right Now Celebrity Parents Who Are So Proud of Their LGBTQ Kids Recent Baby & Toddler Product Recalls Every Parent and Caregiver Should Know About
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Teenagers who report addictive use of screens at greater risk of suicidal behaviour, study shows
Teenagers who show signs of being addicted to social media, mobile phones or video games are at greater risk of suicidal behaviour and emotional problems, according to research. A study, which tracked more than 4,000 adolescents for four years, found that nearly one in three reported increasingly addictive use of social media or mobile phones. Those whose use followed an increasingly addictive trajectory had roughly double the risk of suicidal behaviour at the end of the study. The findings do not prove screen use was the cause of mental health problems. But they highlight that compulsive use, which appears to be very common, as a significant risk factor that parents and healthcare services should be alert to. Dr Yunyu Xiao, an assistant professor of population health sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine and first author of the study, said: 'For parents and educators, the discussion around mobile phones and social media has focused on limiting or banning use, but our results indicate more complex factors are involved. 'Testing interventions that work against other types of addiction may be one way to approach this type of social media and mobile phone use.' The findings come amid escalating mental health problems in young people and as governments are grappling with how to enforce safeguards around smartphones and social media. Against this backdrop, scientists have faced a near-impossible challenge to try to pin down evidence of how rapidly evolving and highly personalised screen use might be linked to young people's mental health. The latest study tracked almost 4,300 adolescents aged nine to 10 when they started the study. Rather than simply measuring screen time, the scientists assessed participants for 'addictive use', such as whether technology was interfering with activities like schoolwork and exercise and whether people experienced craving or feelings of distress when screens were withdrawn. Machine learning was used to cluster participants into groups based on their screen use trajectories. For mobile phones, about half of the children reported high addictive use from the start of the study that remained high through early adolescence, and a quarter developed increasing addictive use as they aged. For social media, 41% of children had high or increasing addictive use. For social media and mobile phones, the high and increasing addictive use trajectories were associated with a two to three times greater risk of suicidal behaviours and suicidal ideation compared with the low addictive use trajectory. More than 40% of the youths had a high addictive use trajectory for video games. These adolescents were significantly more likely to report suicidal thoughts or behaviours, as well as symptoms of anxiety, depression, aggression or rule-breaking. By contrast, the total amount of time spent on social media, mobile phones and video games was not associated with future suicide-related or mental health outcomes. What mattered most was whether their use showed signs of compulsion, distress or loss of control. Xiao said: 'There are many factors that would induce addictive feelings, such as the designs of the social media or video games, some kids may also experience bullying and more adverse childhood that they find using phones more comfortable, but later they cannot stop using it.' The findings, published in the journal Jama, raise further questions over how parents should manage children's screen use. 'We do not know if just taking away access will help, unless it is taking away access 24/7, because we know from studies of addiction management that partial access can quickly reinforce the addiction,' Xiao said. Prof Amy Orben, who leads the Digital Mental Health Group at the University of Cambridge, said the study could not prove that technology use caused mental health problems. An alternative explanation would be that poor self-control could be the root cause for problematic screen use and mental health outcomes. 'Yet the study importantly highlights that why and how young people use technologies, and how they feel technologies affect their lives, may matter more to their mental health than the time spent online,' she added. 'As those reporting such issues are not a small proportion of the population, supporting them should be taken seriously.'
